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funguscreature's review
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rachel_lee's review
4.0
Glue is based on the lives and friendship of four working class lads from the scheme in Edinburgh, following them through four decades and a set of principles that binds them together. If there was a word to describe this book, it would be "dirty" - as the beauty of Irvine Welsh's work is that it's real. It is based on real people, real friendships, real happenings, so the link with reality is almost tangible. I have yet to come across another author who can conjure up the most gruesome, yet astute, scenes whilst still maintaining a very strong sense of authenticity.
bibliobethreads's review
I still prefer trainspotting and filth by welsh but this was a good story, he just loves to shock!
stewreads's review
4.0
Irvine Welsh never disappoints. Have I said that before? Probably. But it still rings true after 4 novels and a short story collection.
Glue is not your typical Welsh novel. Well, in some ways it is: the Scottish dialect, the constant language, the hard-to-like characters, the Edinburgh setting. But what's notably different is that there's a lot more heart in this one than in his usual books. This is the story of four friends and their ever-changing friendship, spanning from the 70s to 2002. Over the course of this novel, we read from the perspective of multiple characters, both first- and third-person, which can seem a bit overwhelming at first but soon becomes interesting as a way to see into everybody's mind, which is something that Irvine Welsh doesn't usually do.
And that's what's so special about this book. Irvine Welsh does a lot of stuff in Glue that he doesn't do in any of his other books (that I've read). This is the only novel of his that I would describe as epic, and at nearly 500 pages it rarely ever drags. And, as Welsh readers know, all of his books are worth reading just for the occasional guest appearances of characters from his other work. This won't be the last one I decide to read, and it definitely won't be the last one I end up loving. 4 and a half stars.
Glue is not your typical Welsh novel. Well, in some ways it is: the Scottish dialect, the constant language, the hard-to-like characters, the Edinburgh setting. But what's notably different is that there's a lot more heart in this one than in his usual books. This is the story of four friends and their ever-changing friendship, spanning from the 70s to 2002. Over the course of this novel, we read from the perspective of multiple characters, both first- and third-person, which can seem a bit overwhelming at first but soon becomes interesting as a way to see into everybody's mind, which is something that Irvine Welsh doesn't usually do.
And that's what's so special about this book. Irvine Welsh does a lot of stuff in Glue that he doesn't do in any of his other books (that I've read). This is the only novel of his that I would describe as epic, and at nearly 500 pages it rarely ever drags. And, as Welsh readers know, all of his books are worth reading just for the occasional guest appearances of characters from his other work. This won't be the last one I decide to read, and it definitely won't be the last one I end up loving. 4 and a half stars.
boureemusique's review
3.0
This book is utterly filthy and it is often written in the hackneyed speech of the Scottish lower class. There is a disturbing scene involving a dog, and this caused a lot of my classmates to refuse to read any further. Despite the perversions, I really enjoyed this novel.
__thalia__'s review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
gwimo's review
4.0
I don't know what to say about Glue other than I liked the novel. It follows the story of four friends from the schemes of Edinburgh, a story that expands four decades. There are some familiar faces that pop up - Mark Renton, Franco Begbie, and Spud Murphy from Welsh's popular novel, Trainspotting. That's part of the reason I read this book, because I was told that a few characters featured were present in the Trainspotting sequel, Porno. To see what else I have to say (I didn't think my "review" was worthy of GoodReads) check out the blog.
dumbmaddie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, Drug use, and Drug abuse
punkratio's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sentient_meat's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this Welsh at the time I read it. I should probably read it again since that is all I can think of to say about it. Doing the washing in Dublin.